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Assess The Validity Of Wikipedia

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The number one major criticism of Wikipedia is that it is not a creditable source of information. Wikipedia allows for laypersons, in addition to their staff editors, to contribute to the information within the websites database. While the contributors may very well be reliable their identity is often unknown; leaving the researcher unable to verify their contribution and sort out any personal bias from the writer. Wikipedia’s own website states that its not creditable because “anyone can edit the information given at any time, and although most errors are immediately fixed, some errors maintain unnoticed.” (Wikipedia: DGG, 2007)

Objectivity is defined as: “1. a state or situation in which something is based only on facts and evidence, 2. the ability to make decisions based on facts rather than on your own personal feelings or beliefs.” …show more content…

There is some thought that it is impossible for biasness not to be introduced into research. From the selection of the research topic to the choice in sources, an author’s own personal points of view tend to get in the way. While an author may interject personal bias into their work, it does not automatically mean that the validity of their research is jeopardized. The author must prove through the use of reliable sources that there is sufficient evidence that their point of view is supported by fact. It is the absence of these supporting facts that draws Wikipedia into the realm of unreliability. When comparing Wikipedia to Sociological research, in the terms of objectivity, one can see that there are similarities and differences. A similarity is that both platforms require some sort of

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